Traction device

ABSTRACT

A tripod supports a head frame at the apex, the head frame including a large pulley journalled thereon with a smaller pulley concentrically secured thereto. A cord or cable is secured to the perimeter of the large pulley and extends over a guide pulley situated to one side of the head frame and has provision for adjustable weights to be secured to the free end of the cord or cable. A strap is secured to the perimeter of the small pulley and extends downwardly within the tripod and is provided with a halter attachment assembly which can be secured to the person receiving traction. One or more clutches on the harness assembly allows the vertical length to be adjusted within limits to suit the height of the person receiving traction. The head frame together with the pulley assembly can, if desired, be attached to a cross bar upon a hospital bed so that a patient within a bed can receive traction. Alternatively, a further tripod assembly can be situated within the main tripod assembly to change the direction of the traction from the vertical to the horizontal so that a patient can receive traction substantially horizontally while lying down.

United States Patent 11 1 Fanstone I 1 TRACTION DEVICE William G. Fanstone, General Delivery, Malachi, Ontario, Canada 22 Filed: June 14, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 479,299

[76] Inventor:

Related US. Application Data 1 Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 349,657, Apr. 10,

I973, abandoned.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Collins 128/84 R Treutelaar 128/84 X Pinegar 128/84 R Lejcune FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 30,341 l/l904 Switzerland 272/81 238,720 6/1910 Germany 272/81 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner.l. Yasko Attorney, Agent, or FirmStanley G. Ade

[5 7 ABSTRACT A tripod supports a head frame at the apex, the head frame including a large pulley journalled thereon with a smaller pulley concentrically secured thereto. A cord or cable is secured to the perimeter of the large pulley and extends over a guide pulley situated to one side of the head frame and has provision for adjustable weights to be secured to the free end of the cord or cable. A strap is secured to the perimeter of the small pulley and extends downwardly within the tripod and is provided with a halter attachment assembly which can be secured to the person receiving traction. One or more clutches on the harness assembly allows the vertical length to be adjusted within limits to suit the height of the person receiving traction. The head frame together with the pulley assembly can, if desired, be attached to a cross bar upon a hospital bed so that a patient within a bed can receive traction. Alternatively, a further tripod assembly can be situated within the main tripod assembly to change the direction of the traction from the vertical to the horizontal so that a patient can receive traction substantially horizontally while lying down.

18 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures TRACTION DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices for supplying traction to patients and constitutes a Continuation in-Part of my application, Ser. No. 349,657, filed Apr. lOth, 1973 now abandoned. It is a well known fact that the application of traction to the human spine has a beneficial effect in relieving the pressure on nerve centers associated with damage to the spinal column, due to degeneration, whiplash caused by sudden shock, arthritic conditions or the like.

Also traction is used to negate muscular contraction during the setting of broken limbs or bones and to assist in the healing process.

There are two basic types of traction most commonly used and generally referred to as cervical traction and lumbar traction. The former is normally applied to the upper portions of the back whereas the latter traction is applied to the lower portions of the back.

Conventionally, such traction consists of two methods, one where weights are secured to the end of a cable running over the pulley and attached to a halter which in turn is secured to the patient. The amount of traction depends upon the weights used there being a one to one relationship. This means that the nurse or assistant has to manually lift the desired amount of weight in order to secure same to the cable which is difficult particularly when relatively heavy weights are used. Furthermore, the patient is helpless when in traction as he cannot manipulate the weights in order to relieve the traction if the necessity arises.

The other method is to use a block and tackle or similar assembly to provide the purchase required. This method does not legislate for involuntary movement on the part of the patient and consequent variation in traction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a safe reliable means of applying and maintaining an exact amount of traction to the human spine or other parts of the human frame regardless of any involuntary movement on the part of the patient.

Another object is to provide a means whereby a doctor, nurse or the patient himself can physically handle a weight of less proportion than required for a greater proportion of traction due to the double pulley assembly incorporated in the device.

Another object is to provide a means of applying a specified amount of traction by the individual patient, without the necessity of having other assistance available.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a completely unit that can be erected in any available or desirable space in a hospital, doctors office or clinic or in an individual patients home, independent of any wall, bed, door or fixed supporting structure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a completely unit that can be easily dissassembled into a light, compact package and transported to any location where its use is required.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which incorporates an integral pair of pulleys of different diameters but that turn as one around a common axis thereby providing a greater amount of traction than the weight applied and which furthermore incorporates an idler pulley to direct and position the weight unit within easy reach of the patient.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which can be adjusted to suit the height of a patient in a sitting position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which can be used upon a seated patient, or alternatively, can redirect the traction from a vertical movement to a horizontal attitude in order to accommodate a patient in the prone position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin-described which is easily mounted on a tripod for a seated patient or alternatively, can be mounted on a suitable frame above a bar on a hospital bed and provide traction to a patient sitting up in bed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the foregoing objects in view, and other such objects and advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, my invention consists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the device.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of FIG. 1, with the tripod legs eliminated for clarity. I

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation or view showing one embodiment of the hanger assembly.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of a further and preferred embodiment of the hanger assembly.

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows the head frame secured to a support bar.

FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of the weight system.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. I

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which, with the exception of FIG. 6, reference character 10 illustrates generally supporting structure.

In the main embodiment, the supporting structure includes a tripod assembly comprising three legs collectively designated 11 and a planar upper substantially triangular support collectively designated 12 to which the legs are secured by the upper ends thereof.

Each leg 11 includes upper portion 13 and lower portion 14 telescopically secured together by means of clamp 15, with the lower portion having ground engaging resilient tips 16.

The upper support 12 consists of three main straps 17 being secured by the adjacent ends thereof by means of a nut and bolt assembly 18 and having pivotted lugs 19 between the ends, said lugs receiving the upper ends of the legs 11 and being secured thereto by means of clamp assembly 15A.

Pivotted lugs 19 provide for an adjustment of the angle of the three legs 11 and the width of stance on the floor.

Telescopic construction permits height adjustment of the assembly to suit patients of various heights.

A hexagonal brace 20'is secured within the triangular support 12 by means of rivets 21 are clearly shown in FIG. 2.

A head frame collectively designated 22 is detachably supported upon the horizontal support 12 as will hereinafter be described, said head frame including a substantially rectangular frame 23 having side members 24, and end member 25 and outwardly extending members 26. The outwardly extending members 26 are formed integrally with frame 23 and one of these members is an extension of one side member 24 whereas the other member 26 is also an extension of member 24 but is angulated inwardly as indicated by reference character 27 so that the offstanding portion consists of two parallel and spaced members 26 that are relatively close together and are maintained in this position by means of spacer bolt assembly 28.

A 'pair of straps 29 are secured to the side members 24 and extend upwardly therefrom and are provided with lower ends 30 extending below the members 24.

A further pair of straps 31 are also secured to the side members 24 and extend upwardly therefrom, members 29 and 31 converging towards a common apex 32 and being secured together by means of a bolt assembly 33. The straps 31 also depend below the side members 24 and terminate in hooked ends 34, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described.

The aforementioned bolt assembly 33 acts as a mounting pivot for a double pulley assembly collectively designated 35 which is journalled for partial rota tion in a vertical plane, upon the bolt assembly 33.

This double pulley assembly 35 includes a major pulley 36 and a minor pulley 37 secured concentrically with the major pulley 36, it being understood that the diameter of the major pulley 36 is considerably larger than the diameter of the minor pulley 37.

A cord or cable 38 is secured by one end 39 thereof to the periphery of the major pulley 36 by means of the fastener 40 and this cable extends from pulley 36, to an idler pulley 41 journalled in the same plane as the pulley assembly 35, but adjacent the ends of the offstanding members 26, pivot bolt assembly 42 extending through members 26 to support pulley 41.

The distal end 43 of the cable 38 is formed in a loop and is adapted to receive various weights as will hereinafter be described.

A pair of stops 44 extend outwardly from the side face of the major pulley adjacent to the perimeter thereof and are adapted for one to engages straps 29 when the pulley moves in the direction of arrow 45 and one to engage the straps 31 when the pulley moves in the direction opposite to arrow 45 thus limiting the movement of the pulley assembly around the support bolt or pivot 33.

A flexible strap or the equivalent 46, is secured by one end 47 thereof to adjacent the periphery of the minor pulley 37 and extends around this pulley and hangs vertically downwardly between the rectangular head frame 23, terminating in a loop 47A as clearly shown and it should be observed that the cable 38 and the strap 46 extend from the pulley assemblies one upon either side of the vertical axis 48 of this pulley assembly. This means that if the pulley moves in the direction of arrow 45 under the influence of a weight on the end 43 of cable 38, then strap 46 will move upwardly as it is wound around the small pulley 37. Conversely, if the pulley assembly moves in the direction opposite to arrow 45, then cable 38 moves upwardly and strap 46 moves downwardly.

Reference to FIG. 1 will show the method of attaching the head frame to the horizontal support 12. The depending ends 30 of the front straps 29 engage within portions 20A of the hexagonal brace 20 and the hooked ends 34 of the rear straps 31 hook under portions 20B of this brace assembly 20. It should be noted that these hooked ends are engaged upon the support 12 on the side remote from the offstanding portion 26 of the head frame so that any weight applied to cable or cord 38, will force the hooked ends into engagement under portions 20B thus preventing any possible displacement, yet still permitting the head frame to be readily detached when desired.

Due to the difference in diameter of the major and minor pulleys 36 and 37, it will be appreciated that a relatively small weight applied to the end of cord or cable 38 will be multiplied in effect upon the end of strap 46 and in the present embodiment, a ratio of ap proximately 8 to l is desired. This means that a pound weight on cable 38 will provide 8 pounds of traction or pull upon the end of strap 46.

Several forms of incremental weights are provided and reference to FIG. 1 will show two such forms. A hook attaching element 49 is provided with an upper hook 50 engageable within the loop 43 of the cable 38, A lower hook 51 receives a rod 52 which hooks thereon and which includes a plurality of individual weights 53 apertured to slide on rod 52 and being prevented from disengagement from the lower end of the rod, by means of a plate 54 secured to the rod.

A hook 55 extends from between members 26 of the head frame to store a further weight assembly collectively designated 56 which is similar in construction to the weight assembly shown on cable 38 with the exception that different increments are provided.

FIG. 7 also shows an alternative weight assembly collectively designated 57 which consists of a plastic container 58 having a screw cap 59 with a hook 60 formed thereon which may be engaged within loop 43 of the cable 38. This container is graduated in pounds and kilograms as illustrated so that if water is placed within the container, level with any of the graduations shown, the container provides traction of the amount indicated on the wall thereof.

These various weight systems provide full flexibility in the amountof traction provided by the device and enable either an operator or the patient to add or subtract the necessary weights. One of the principal advan tages of the present invention is the fact that due to the use of the double pulley assembly, relatively small weights can be used on the end of cable 38 to give a multiplied traction weight on the end of strap 46 thus enabling the operator to handle the weights readily and easily.

It is of course understood that in the principal embodiment, the patient is seated within the tripod formed by legs 11 and in this regard the offstanding portions 26 together with pulley 41, positions the loop 43 of cable 38 close to the patient so that he can readily reach and attach or manipulate the weights as desired. This is of particular importance if the patient is alone and wishes to apply or to relieve the traction.

A conventional head halter (not illustrated) is secured to the patient in order to supply the traction developed by the apparatus and this halter is engaged over a halter yoke 61 which is provided with notches 62 upon the upper edge thereof to facilitate this engagement.

FIGS. 1 and 3 show a single clutch type halter attachment means collectively designated 62 whereas FIGS. 4 and 5 show a double clutch harness or halter attachment means collectively designated 63.

Dealing first with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a bail 64 is engageable within the loop 47A of the strap means 46.

A cylindrical type clutch element collectively designated 65 is provided and consists of a barrel 66 having a cone-shaped lower end 67 which contains a plurality of ball bearings 68.

A rod 69 extends through the barrel and is engaged by the balls 68 and pressure upon the balls is provided by means of a collar 70 within the barrel 66 with a com pression spring reacting between the casing portion 72 and the collar 70 thus applying pressure to the balls and forcing them down the ramp formed by the coneshaped ends 67. Wing portion 73 is connected to collar 70 and enables the collar to be moved upwardly by hand in order to release the clutch assembly. These clutch assemblies are conventional and are known as line tighteners or clutch assemblies so that it is not believed necessary to describe same further except to say that the rod 69 can be adjusted relative to the clutch assembly 65 in order to position the yoke 61 to suit the individual patient. In this connection, resilient stops 74 are provided at the upper ends of the rod 69 to prevent disengagement from the clutch assembly. As will be clearly seen, the aforementioned yoke 61 is hooked to the lower end hook 75 of the rod 69, in FIG. 3 or the lower end of hook 78 in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a double clutch assembly, the operation of the clutches 65 being similar to that hereinbefore described.

A pair of rods 69A are provided in this embodiment, there being one rod for each of the clutch assemblies 65. A cross member 76 maintains the rods in spaced apart relationship and a lower cross member 77 receives a hook 78 upon which the yoke 61 engages as clearly illustrated.

The loop 47 of the strap means 46 engages a pin 79 and cylindrical portions 80 are provided upon the ends of this pin to facilitate manipulation when adjusting the assembly relative to the rods 69A.

If it is desired to use the device upon a patient in bed, two methods are provided. FIG. 6 shows a method for applying traction to a patient sitting up in bed and includes a sub frame 80A similar in configuration to the horizontal support 12 of the previous embodiment so that the head frame assembly 22 may be supported within this sub frame 80A in a similar manner as clearly shown.

This sub frame 80A is then secured to a hexagonal bar 81 normally provided in super structure on hospital beds for conventional traction means.

A pair of articulated clamp lock assemblies 82 are provided (only one of which is illustrated) and consist of vertical link 83, horizontal link 84 and clamp assembly 85. The horizontal link 84 is pivotally connected by one end thereof to a downwardly extending lug 86 from the sub frame A and the vertical link 83 is pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to the other end of horizontal link 84 as illustrated by reference character 87. The upper portion of the vertical link 83 against the bar 81 which also engages the downwardly depending lug 86.

The clamp assembly includes a screw threaded bolt 88 having a short length of resilient cylindrical pipe 89 freely engaged thereover. One end of the rod 88 screw threadably engages within a cross member 90 and the other end is provided with a tightening device 91 which, when screwed along rod 88, forces the resilient cylindrical pipe 89 into engagement with the lower end of the vertical link 83 thus clamping the assembly firmly to the bar 81 so that it can be used in the usual manner. The resilient cylindrical pipe 89 deforms under pressure and thereby facilitates alignment of the segments of the articulated clamp lock assemblies 82.

FIG. 2 shows a method for applying traction horizontally if the patient is lying in bed and traction is required to the head or to one or more of his limbs. It consists of a relatively small tripod assembly collectively designated 92 resting within the main tripod support 10 and having suction cups 93 at the base thereof to prevent relative movement.

One or more weights 94 are placed over a central pillar 95 to anchor the device in position.

A pair of upstanding lugs 96 are provided extending upwardly from the apex 97 of the tripod 92 and these lugs support a pulley 98. Clamping assemblies 102 are used to adjust the height of tripod 92 and position pulley 98 at the right horizontal plane to suit the patient in bed. I

A cord or cable 38 engages around this pulley thus changing the direction of the traction from the vertical as illustrated by arrow 99, to the horizontal as illustrated by arrow 100, it being understood that the necessary halter or harness attachment (not illustrated) may be secured upon the end 101 of this cord assembly.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that an extremely flexible device has been provided adjustable for use either with patients seated within the main frame or sitting up in bed or lying in bed. Furthermore, because of the difference in diameter of the major and minor pulleys, relatively small weights can be used to supply a greater degree of traction than normally would be provided by the weights used on a one to one ratio acting directly upon the patient.

Finally it should be stressed that the important feature of the invention is the double pulley assembly 35 with cable 38 being secured to the periphery of the major pulley 36 and the flexible strap or the like 46 being secured to the periphery of the smaller pulley.

The weights attached to the cable 38 always act vertically downwardly from the pulley 36 so that the same traction force is always applied to the strap 46 regardless of the movement of the patient.

Other systems may use a double pulley system but these include a weight lever secured to one of the pulleys by means of a cable or strap with the lever pivoted to the frame by one end and the weights being attached to the other end. This means that the tension on the patient is only accurate with the weight bar in one position is extended horizontally. Any up and down movement by the patient will move the weight bar from the horizontal position thus changing the traction force upon the patient.

In fact the tension force can readily be reduced to zero in such a system by a relatively small upward movement of the patient so that the weight bar moves to the vertical position.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A traction device for applying specified amounts of traction to a patient comprising in combination supporting structure, a head frame detachably secured to the upper side of said supporting structure, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane, within said head frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley concentrically mounted relative to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable to the other end of said cable means, flexible means attached by one end thereof to the periphery of said minor pul ley, halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the periphery of said major and minor pulleys upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, a pulley frame for mounting said double pulley assembly and stop means extending from the side of one of said pulleys engageable with said pulley frame for limiting the rotation of said pulley assembly in either direction.

2. The device according to claim 1 which includes guide means on said head frame on one side of said double pulley assembly, said cable means extending over said guide means whereby said weight means on said other end of said cable means is located adjacent to the patient.

3. The device according to claim 1 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.

4. The device according to claim 2 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch de-- vice and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.

5. A traction device for applying specified amounts of traction to a patient comprising in combination supporting structure, a head frame detachably secured to the upper side of said supporting structure, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane, within said head frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley concentrically mounted relative to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable to the other end of said cable means, flexible means attached by one end thereof to the periphery of said minor pulley, halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the perphery of said major and minor pulleys upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, said head frame including a substantially rectangular open frame and means to detachably secure same to said supporting structure, said supporting structure including side members, said head frame engaging across said side members, said last mentioned means including a pair of downwardly depending straps on said head frame engaging one of said side members, and a further pair of downwardly depending straps, said further pair of straps having hooked lower ends engaging under another of said side members on the side of said head frame remote from said weight means.

6. The device according to claim 5 which includes guide means on said head frame on one side of said double pulley assembly, said cable means extending over said guide means whereby said weight means on said other end of said cable means is located adjacent to the patient.

7. The device according to claim 5 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.

8. The device according to claim 6 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said ckutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.

9. In a traction device for applying specified amount of traction to a patient; a head frame, a adjustable pulley assembly journalled for rotation clutch a vertical plane in said head frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley concentrically mounted relative to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable to the other end of said cable means, flexible means attached by one end thereof to the periphery of said minor pulley and halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the peripheries of said major and minor pulley upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, a pulley frame for mounting said double pulley assembly and stop means extending from the side of one of said pulleys engageable with said pulley frame for limiting the rotation of said pulley assembly in either direction.

10. The head frame according to claim 9 which includes guide means on said head frame on one side of said double pulley assembly, said cable means extending over said guide means whereby said weight means on said other end of said cable means is located adjacent to the patient.

11. The head frame according to claim 9 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.

12. The head frame according to claim 10 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.

13. In a traction device for applying specified amount of traction to a patient; a head frame, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane in said head frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley concentrically mounted relative to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable to the other end of said cable means, flexible means attached by one end thereof to the periphery of said minor pulley and halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flex ible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the peripheries of said major and minor pulley upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, said head frame including a substantially rectangular open frame and means to detachably secure same to said supporting structure, said supporting structure including side members, said head frame engaging across said side members, said last mentioned means including a pair of downwardly depending straps on said head frame engaging one of said side members, and a further pair of downwardly depending straps, said further pair of straps having hooked lower ends engaging under another of said side members on the side of said head frame remote from said weight means.

14. The head frame according to claim 13 which includes guide means on said head frame on one side of said double pulley assembly, said cable means extending over said guide means whereby said weight means on said other end of said cable means is located adjacent to the patient.

15. The head frame according to claim 13 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.

16. The head frame according to claim 14 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.

17. In a traction device for applying and maintaining specified amounts of traction to a patient and which includes supporting structure; the improvement comprising a pulley frame, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane within said pulley frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley secured to and concentrically mounted to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof adjacent to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable directly to the other end of said cable means and acting vertically downwardly with the same force regardless of the rotative position of said pulley assembly, flexible means attached by one end thereof adjacent to the periphery of said minor pulley, and halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the adjacent peripheries of said major and minor pulleys respectively and upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof.

18. In a traction device for applying and maintaining specified amounts of traction to a patient and which includes supporting structure; the improvement comprising a pulley frame, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane within said pulley frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley secured to and concentrically mounted to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof adjacent to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable directly to the other end of said cable means and acting vertically downwardly with the same force regardless of the rotative position of said pulley assembly, flexible means attached by one end thereof adjacent to the periphery of said minor pulley, halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means said cable means and said flexible means means, said cable means and said from the adjacent peripheries of said major and minor pulleys respectively and upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, and stop means extending from the side of said pulley assembly engageable with said pulley frame for limiting the rotation of said pulley assembly in either direction. 

1. A traction device for applying specified amounts of traction to a patient comprising in combination supporting structure, a head frame detachably secured to the upper side of said supporting structure, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane, within said head frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley concentrically mounted relative to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable to the other end of said cable means, flexible means attached by one end thereof to the periphery of said minor pulley, halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the periphery of said major and minor pulleys upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, a pulley frame for mounting said double pulley assembly and stop means extending from the side of one of said pulleys engageable with said pulley frame for limiting the rotation of said pulley assembly in either direction.
 2. The device according to claim 1 which includes guide means on said head frame on one side of said double pulley assembly, said cable means extending over said guide means whereby said weight means on said other end of said cable means is located adjacent to the patient.
 3. The device according to claim 1 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of Said flexible means a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.
 4. The device according to claim 2 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.
 5. A traction device for applying specified amounts of traction to a patient comprising in combination supporting structure, a head frame detachably secured to the upper side of said supporting structure, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane, within said head frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley concentrically mounted relative to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable to the other end of said cable means, flexible means attached by one end thereof to the periphery of said minor pulley, halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the perphery of said major and minor pulleys upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, said head frame including a substantially rectangular open frame and means to detachably secure same to said supporting structure, said supporting structure including side members, said head frame engaging across said side members, said last mentioned means including a pair of downwardly depending straps on said head frame engaging one of said side members, and a further pair of downwardly depending straps, said further pair of straps having hooked lower ends engaging under another of said side members on the side of said head frame remote from said weight means.
 6. The device according to claim 5 which includes guide means on said head frame on one side of said double pulley assembly, said cable means extending over said guide means whereby said weight means on said other end of said cable means is located adjacent to the patient.
 7. The device according to claim 5 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.
 8. The device according to claim 6 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said ckutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.
 9. In a traction device for applying specified amount of traction to a patient; a head frame, a adjustable pulley assembly journalled for rotation clutch a vertical plane in said head frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley concentrically mounted relative to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable to the other end of said cable means, flexible means attached by one end thereof to the periphery of said minor pulley and halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the peripheries of said major and minor pulley upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, a pulley frame for mounting said double pulley assembly and stop means extending from the side of one of saiD pulleys engageable with said pulley frame for limiting the rotation of said pulley assembly in either direction.
 10. The head frame according to claim 9 which includes guide means on said head frame on one side of said double pulley assembly, said cable means extending over said guide means whereby said weight means on said other end of said cable means is located adjacent to the patient.
 11. The head frame according to claim 9 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.
 12. The head frame according to claim 10 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.
 13. In a traction device for applying specified amount of traction to a patient; a head frame, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane in said head frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley concentrically mounted relative to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable to the other end of said cable means, flexible means attached by one end thereof to the periphery of said minor pulley and halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the peripheries of said major and minor pulley upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, said head frame including a substantially rectangular open frame and means to detachably secure same to said supporting structure, said supporting structure including side members, said head frame engaging across said side members, said last mentioned means including a pair of downwardly depending straps on said head frame engaging one of said side members, and a further pair of downwardly depending straps, said further pair of straps having hooked lower ends engaging under another of said side members on the side of said head frame remote from said weight means.
 14. The head frame according to claim 13 which includes guide means on said head frame on one side of said double pulley assembly, said cable means extending over said guide means whereby said weight means on said other end of said cable means is located adjacent to the patient.
 15. The head frame according to claim 13 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.
 16. The head frame according to claim 14 in which said halter attachment includes a hanger secured to the other end of said flexible means, a cylindrical clutch device on said hanger, a rod engaging through said clutch device and being adjustable and detachably held by said clutch device and a harness yoke secured to the lower end of said rod.
 17. In a traction device for applying and maintaining specified amounts of traction to a patient and which includes supporting structure; the improvement comprising a pulley frame, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane within said pulley frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley secured to and concentrically mounted to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one eNd thereof adjacent to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable directly to the other end of said cable means and acting vertically downwardly with the same force regardless of the rotative position of said pulley assembly, flexible means attached by one end thereof adjacent to the periphery of said minor pulley, and halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means, said cable means and said flexible means extending from the adjacent peripheries of said major and minor pulleys respectively and upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof.
 18. In a traction device for applying and maintaining specified amounts of traction to a patient and which includes supporting structure; the improvement comprising a pulley frame, a double pulley assembly journalled for rotation in a vertical plane within said pulley frame, said double pulley assembly including a major pulley and a minor pulley secured to and concentrically mounted to said major pulley, said major pulley having a diameter larger than the diameter of said minor pulley, cable means secured by one end thereof adjacent to the periphery of said major pulley, adjustable weight means detachably securable directly to the other end of said cable means and acting vertically downwardly with the same force regardless of the rotative position of said pulley assembly, flexible means attached by one end thereof adjacent to the periphery of said minor pulley, halter attachment means secured to the other end of said flexible means said cable means and said flexible means means, said cable means and said from the adjacent peripheries of said major and minor pulleys respectively and upon opposite sides of the vertical axis thereof, and stop means extending from the side of said pulley assembly engageable with said pulley frame for limiting the rotation of said pulley assembly in either direction. 